Press & Presentations

New research uses meconium to map prenatal metal exposure

Published January 6, 2026

Featuring  doctoral graduate Fiona Fogarty, Associate Professor Brian Pavilonis, Professor Suzanne McDermott, and colleagues

The published research sheds light on how and where New York’s youngest residents are exposed to environmental metals before they are even born.

Clearing the Air: A Pilot Study of Ventilation Interventions in New York City Nail Salons

Published July 29, 2025 

Featuring Rachel Thompson*, Michael Ierardi*, Samantha Fischer* and Associate Professor Brian Pavilonis
*PhD candidate 

This study tested a tailored approach to help New York City nail salons reduce chemical exposures by making better use of their existing ventilation. Results show that optimizing ventilation can meaningfully improve air quality, with general exhaust and natural ventilation offering especially effective and low-cost solutions. 

Citywide park renovations and changes in perceived stress: a quasi-experimental study among low-income communities in New York City

Published July 19, 2025 

Featuring Rachel Thompson* and Associate Professor Brian Pavilonis
*PhD candidate

CUNY SPH PhD candidate publishes findings in BMC Public Health. A study of New York City’s Community Parks Initiative found that park renovations were linked to reduced stress among certain groups, including divorced or widowed adults and middle-aged residents who frequently used the parks. While overall stress levels didn’t change significantly for all participants, frequent users of renovated parks experienced notable improvements. 

Study identifies NYC workers most at-risk for dangerous summer heat

Published July 6, 2025

Featuring  A. Michael Ierardi and Associate Professor Brian Pavilonis
*PhD candidate

This study highlights the growing threat of extreme heat to New York City’s workforce, identifying which occupations face the greatest risk of heat stress as climate change drives temperatures and the frequency of heat waves. 

Park use patterns and park satisfaction before and after citywide park renovations in low-income New York City neighborhoods

Published July 2, 2025 

Featuring Rachel Thompson* and Associate Professor Brian Pavilonis
*PhD candidate

CUNY SPH PhD candidate publishes findings in Nature’s Scientific Reports. This study of New York City’s Community Parks Initiative found that renovating parks in low-income neighborhoods led to significant increases in how often and how long residents used their local parks, as well as major improvements in satisfaction with park quality and maintenance.  

Metals in Meconium in Butte Montana compared to New York City: Which place has higher values?

Recorded on June 23, 2025

Grand Rounds at the School of Population Health, The University of Mississippi Medical Center

Featuring Professor Suzanne McDermott

This Grand Rounds presentation explores the comparison of metals in meconium from newborns in Butte, Montana and New York City to assess prenatal exposure to environmental metals. The Butte study revealed extremely elevated copper and other metals, likely due to ongoing mining and air pollution, while New York City samples showed lower or comparable levels to other global studies. Key findings linked higher metal exposures to foreign-born mothers and certain ethnicities, but not to housing type. The research underscores meconium’s value for environmental health surveillance.

Low Meconium Metal Concentrations in Newborns from NYC: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Published May 12, 2025

Featuring Fiona Fogarty*, Associate Professor Brian Pavilonis, and Professor Suzanne McDermott
*PhD candidate

CUNY SPH PhD candidate publishes findings in Springer Nature. Study highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to reduce prenatal metal exposure in vulnerable urban populations.

ABC News: Heavy metals found in some dark chocolate, not ’cause for alarm’

Published August 1, 2024

Featuring Associate Professor Brian Pavilonis

Experts say the health risks are low by eating a varied diet and moderation.

High Country News: Inside the EPA’s close relationship with a Montana mining company

Published February 23, 2023

Featuring Professor Suzanne McDermott

When faced with new research on health risks in Butte, the agency turned to industry for guidance.